Courage.

Boy, did Lyme disease turn my life upside down.

I live in New York, so yeah, it’s a thing!

One day in June of 2019, I woke up one morning feeling like I was underwater. Fatigue like I’d never experienced. Brain fog I couldn’t shake. 

That tick I found under my arm turned out to be carrying borrelia bacteria. 

It was a rough time to say the least and a period of enforced rest.

It took awhile and during that season of healing, I couldn’t do much other than lay in bed. There was no checking off the to-do list.

And that forced me to face some beliefs I’d been living with for a long time:

Who am I if I’m not being productive? 

Am I still lovable if I’m not “doing”? 

Is my voice worthy of love and compassion if I’m not singing?

I had to learn the hard way that I was still worthy of love and belonging, even when I couldn’t "perform." 

That my worth wasn’t in how much I produced, but in who I was being.

That my voice had value even when it wasn’t being used.

That experience changed how I approached everything- especially singing.

Getting underneath those beliefs took courage and it helped me to gain clarity on my motivation. For singing….for everything.

But it also reminded me that courage doesn’t just show up in the big moments- in the performances or the applause.

Sometimes, courage looks quieter instead of loud.

Like resting when you want to push.

Like letting yourself be seen exactly as you are, even when you feel uncertain or out of practice.

Healing from Lyme taught me that the voice- like the body- needs tenderness as much as training.

It needs space, care, and community to grow stronger.

That’s what started to shape my philosophy of Joyful Singing:

that the real work isn’t just about vocal technique, it’s about learning to meet your voice courageously with compassion.

Courage looks like many things: standing in front of an audience, being willing to be seen, facing your inner demons, digging deep for your inner truth. 

Courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid- it means you do it anyway. 

Each time you show up for yourself, each time you sing, each time you share your voice, you’re practicing courage. You’re saying:

“I’m here. I’m imperfect. And I’m willing to be heard.”

That’s powerful.

And I knew I wanted to create a space where singers could practice that kind of courage- together.

After that season of slowing down, I wanted to create something that nurtured both the voice and the heart- a space where singers could find confidence, community, and joy.

I developed my own class that I began early on that year called Joyful Singing.

A small group of us began to gather to sing songs and share and support and learn new ways to care for our voices, bodies and minds.

What started as those early gatherings in song is what I now call Monday Night Singing Group.

(And now, Joyful Singing is a whole program/course/community/lifestyle that puts joy at the center of everything! It’s rooted in wellness and mindset to help you find your voice, help you grow as a singer, connect you with others, and move you forward with your goals.)

While Joyful Singing has been brewing and developing, we've kept those monthly gatherings going- our Monday Night Singing Group- because of the community and support that has been cultivated.

What started as a small gathering of singers exploring their voices has become one of my favorite parts of the month. 

We meet on Zoom- a group of adults, all levels welcome- to warm up, sing, and connect to joy together.

And here’s the best part: courage is contagious.

When you see someone else take a deep breath and sing despite their nerves, something inside you softens.

You realize you’re not alone.

You think, If they can do it, maybe I can too. 

What You’ll Experience in Monday Night Singing:

• A Supportive Group Voice Class on Zoom each month with singers who share your passion for music and growth.
• Confidence-Building Exercises to learn to manage nerves, connect to your breath, and find freedom in your voice.
• Vocal Wellness Tools to explore warmups (especially SOVTs!), tension release, and mindful practices to support healthy singing.
• Encouragement and Community to sing, share, and be seen in a safe, uplifting space. 

Our next class is happening on Monday, October 27th, from 7–8:30pm ET. (Replays available!)

And for those ready to commit to their voice in 2025, I just added a year-long class bundle at over 60% off-  the best way to make consistent progress and stay inspired all year long. Good for 12 classes from time of purchase.

Lyme disease taught me that worth isn’t tied to productivity.

 
Singing taught me that courage isn’t about perfection.  It’s about presence. It’s about showing up.

Every time you open your mouth to sing, you’re saying yes to yourself.

You’re saying yes to joy, to growth, and to being heard.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to reconnect with your voice- to sing bravely, to feel more confident, to stop hiding- this is it.

Join us at Monday Night Singing Group and let’s practice courage together.